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Guard held as homeless man killed

A homeless man was yesterday stabbed to death by a security guard outside the KFC restaurant at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, after he was earlier ordered out of the restaurant for allegedly making strange demands of staff and photographing them with his cellphone.

Moments later, his attacker surrendered to police who were at the scene looking for clues and interviewing witnesses. The deceased was identified as Jameel Douglas, 33, of no fixed place of address. Up until late yesterday evening, a 22-year-old Duncan Street, Port-of-Spain man remained in police custody.

Police said just before 10 am yesterday, a fight between the guard and Douglas erupted outside the establishment. Douglas was stabbed and collapsed on the road along Broadway in front of a vending cart. Eyewitnesses immediately notified the police.

Officers of the Homicide Bureau and Port-of-Spain CID and Task Force responded. The body was viewed by the district medical officer who ordered its removal to the Forensic Science Centre for an autopsy today.

A statement from KFC franchise holder Prestige Holdings last evening confirmed the incident, but denied reports which suggested he was seeking to use the bathroom or purchasing an item at the outlet. Rather, it said the outlet manager asked a guard to escort Douglas outside after he began making strange demands of staff and taking pictures of them with his phone. The company said the incident was unfortunate, offered condolences to the man’s family and said it was cooperating fully with the police.

Eyewitness told T&T Guardian Douglas and the guard had an argument outside and a fight started. He was stabbed during the scuffle.

By-standers gathered outside the restaurant after the area was cordoned off by the police. Soon afterwards, several of the employees were taken away in a police vehicle. Other workers seemed in good spirits and were seen smiling and chatting with each other.

When contacted yesterday, senior officers said a police officer or a security guard could not use a knife as a weapon while on duty.

“Even if he is a police officer or a security guard, a knife cannot be a tool of work, only if he is peeling orange, so he can’t be using a knife. The matter is under investigation and it will be dealt with accordingly,” the officer said.